What 20 iconic chefs looked like early in their careers

Kirstie RenaeMay 7, 2022, 20:15 IST

Rachael Ray, Gordon Ramsay, and Martha Stewart are all famous chefs.John Medina/Getty Images; TV Times/Getty Images; Ron Galella/Getty Images

Despite being household names today, these iconic chefs came from a variety of backgrounds.
Many chefs, like Gordon Ramsay and Martha Stewart, didn't originally plan on a culinary career.

Ina Garten quit her job at the White House to buy a food store.

Ina Garten worked as a budget analyst at the White House.Robert Lachman/Getty Images; NBC/Contributor/Getty Images

Martha Stewart was a teenage model.

Martha Stewart also worked as a stockbroker.Ron Galella/Getty Images; Manny Carabel/Getty Images

Rachael Ray worked at the Macy's candy counter in New York City.

Rachael Ray published her first cookbook in 1999.John Medina/Getty Images; D Dipasupil/Getty Images

Guy Fieri opened his first restaurant in California before becoming a Food Network star.

Guy Fieri won "The Next Food Network Star" in 2006.Johnny Nunez/Getty Images; Food Network

In high school, Masaharu Morimoto was a baseball catcher.

Masaharu Morimoto has been on "Iron Chef" and "Iron Chef America."Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images; Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

Ree Drummond launched a blog that became extremely popular.

Ree Drummond started The Pioneer Woman in 2006.David Livingston/Getty Images;Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo

Wolfgang Puck left Europe to start a culinary career in America.

Wolfgang Puck began his formal culinary training at 14 years old.nik wheeler/Getty Images; Kris Connor / Stringer/Getty

Giada De Laurentiis attended Le Cordon Bleu after college.

Giada De Laurentiis was a judge on "Food Network Star."Michael Buckner/Getty Images; Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

As a teenager, Emeril Lagasse worked in a Portuguese bakery.

Emeril Lagasse has had a variety of successful TV shows.Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images; John Lamparski/Getty Images

Roy Choi enrolled in culinary school after being inspired by "Essence of Emeril."

Roy Choi changed the food-truck industry.David Livingston/Getty Images; Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images

Alex Guarnaschelli's mother was a cookbook editor, which helped shape her passion for food.

Alex Guarnaschelli has released several cookbooks.Patrick McMullan/Getty Images; Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images

Bobby Flay dropped out of high school and became a line cook at Joe Allen Restaurant in New York City.

Bobby Flay studied at the French Culinary Institute.Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images; Denise Truscello/Getty Images

As a teenager, Gordon Ramsay trained with Rangers Football Club.

Gordon Ramsay has earned 16 Michelin stars.TV Times/Getty Images; Kirsty O'Connor - PA Images/Getty Images

Julia Child was a typist and researcher for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II.

Julia Child published "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in 1961.Lee Lockwood/Getty Images; TIM SLOAN/Getty Images

Jamie Oliver dropped out of school to train at Westminster Catering College.

Jamie Oliver has had several hit British cooking series.Michael Walters - PA Images/Getty Images; George Pimentel/Getty Images

Anne Burrell got a degree in English and communications from Canisius College.

Anne Burrell later studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners.Patrick McMullan/Getty Images; John Lamparski/Getty Images

Anthony Bourdain dropped out of college and worked as a New York cook for years.

Anthony Bourdain trained at the Culinary Institute of America.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Paul Bruinooge /Getty Images

Carla Hall went to business school before her culinary debut.

Carla Hall also worked as a runway model.Bravo/Getty Images; Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

Duff Goldman got his start at a bagel shop.

Duff Goldman trained at the Culinary Institute of America.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

In college, Cat Cora studied biology and physiology.

Cat Cora was the first female Iron Chef on "Iron Chef America."Anthony Pidgeon/Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

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